Govt introduces Ayush visa category for foreigners seeking medical treatment in India | India News

NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs has officially announced the introduction of a new category of visa called the Ayush (AY) visa. This visa is specifically designed for foreign nationals seeking treatment under Ayush systems or Indian systems of medicine, encompassing therapeutic care, wellness, and Yoga.

To accommodate this new visa category, a separate chapter, Chapter 11A – Ayush Visa, has been added to the Visa Manual, right after Chapter 11 – Medical visa, the government said in a press release. The introduction of Ayush Visa aligns with the proposal for a special visa scheme catering to foreigners visiting India for Ayush treatments.
The idea of the Ayush Visa category was originally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in April 2022.

Union minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “The creation of new category of Ayush (AY) visa for foreign nationals seeking treatment under Ayush systems/Indian systems of medicine is a significant step. It will boost Medical Value Travel in India. This initiative will strengthen our endeavor to accomplish PM Narendra Modi’s vision for making Indian traditional medicine a global phenomenon. I also want to compliment Amit Shah, Union home minister, GoI for his efforts in creating a special Ayush Visa category”.
This new visa category is a part of “Heal in India” initiative, aimed at promoting India as a destination for medical value travel. The ministry of ayush, along with the ministry of health & family welfare, is collaborating to develop a comprehensive “Heal in India” portal to promote India as a global medical tourism destination.
Medical value travel has witnessed significant growth in India, with projections indicating a potential annual growth rate of 9.9% for the Global Wellness economy. Ayush-based healthcare & Wellness economy is expected to reach $70 billion by 2025, according to the report by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI).
The ministry of Ayush is actively working on promoting the Ayush system of treatment nationally and globally.